The Access Georgia Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 Founders Cohort. Now in its fifth year, the Founders Cohort pairs early-stage entrepreneurs with mentors in an eight-week program designed to provide coaching, valuable connections, and access to capital.

The program culminates in a dynamic Investor Showcase where founders pitch their product or service to established angel investors in hopes to seek funding to scale and grow their ventures.

To qualify for the 2025 Founders Cohort, companies must meet the following criteria:

• Early stage, Seed, Seed+.

• Post revenue (min annual revenue/ARR of $100K or recent monthly run rate/MRR of $10K during the last three months).

• Raising equity and can submit a “roughly right” term sheet by 4/30/25 as part of the online application process.

• Must be able to provide proformas, financials, and full company data upon request.

• Provide Business Plan summary, Business Model Canvas, and Pitch Deck will be required for all finalists.

• Location preferred: Georgia + Southeast

The application deadline is April 30, 2025. 

The timeline is as follows:

• March 1: Online Application opens

• April 30: Online Application deadline

• May 5: Semi-Finalists Chosen

• May 15: Request for Additional Due Diligence (rolling acceptance)

• June 5: Finalists companies announced 

• June 12: Mentors announced 

• July 26: Access Mock Rounds

• August 17: Access Investor Showcase 

Finalists in the 2025 cohort will participate in workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, coaching from the Corporate Advisory Council, abundant networking opportunities and receive marketing support. 

Now in its fifth year, the Founders Cohort has invested over $2 million into 14 companies across the Southeast and engaged over 60 mentors who have provided over 1,200 hours of mentorship.

The mission of the Access Georgia Foundation is to provide coaching, connections, and capital for early-stage entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners in all industries and stages to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

 For more information or to fill out an application, visit: https://accessgaf.org/programs/#founders